Automatic car coupler



United States Patent inventor William J. Metzger East Cleveland, Ohio Appl. No. 731,063 Filed May 22, 1968 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 Assignee Midland-Ross Corporation Cleveland, Ohio a corporation of Ohio AUTOMATIC CAR COUPLER 14 Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 213/110, 2 l 3/ 148 lnt. Cl. 861g 3/00, 9 861g 3/08 Field of Search 213/110, 116,144,148

Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Attorneys- Henry Kozak and Woodrow Portz ABSTRACT: A knuckle type railway car coupler is provided with means whereby the lock for the knuckle will automatically move out of locking relationship with the knuckle and the knuckle will swing from closed to open position when a mating coupler is uncoupled from the coupler.

I l l w I L g? '44 1X56 a s X g,; -f 1 55 a o, 225 22a 1" x 2 7 PATENTEnueczmo 35491021 SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR W/AU/W J. MffZ'f? ATTORNEY PATENTEB [151322 lam SHEET 2 UF 4 INVENTOR W/AA/AM J fifffZf/F ATTORNEY PATENTED UEE22 mm SHEET 3 [IF 4 R O T N E V N ATTORNEY P NIEU [15022 1978 35491021 saw u or 4 45c djjm 1Z4 424 450 I INVENTOR W/a/AM J M5766? ATTORNEY The Association of American Railroads Standard Coupler in use in the United States for over 50 years has been referred to as an automatic coupler, but this coupler is not in fact fully automatic, because it isno't always ready for coupling. It is automatic to the extent that when the knuckle of at least one of two opposing couplers is in open position, the couplers will couple upon impact as they: I come together.v Two couplers whose knuckles are in closed position cannot be, coupled, and therefore in order to be coupled, one of the couplers must be prepared for coupling; that is, its knuckle must be unlocked and swung toopen position by actuation of the usual uncoupling rod. When two coupled cars are desired to be separated, the usual practice is for a trainman to lock-set one of the couplers by means of the uncoupling rod. This unlocks the knuckle and permits it to swing open when a pulling force is applied tothe couplers; Upon separation of these couplers during the uncoupling operation, one knuckle will be in open position upon completion of the operation while 'the other knuckle will remain closedand locked. I

The present invention assures that the coupler will always be ready for coupling when the coupler is free,.because its knuckle will be au'tomatically disposed in open position. The invention provides for automatic unlocking and opening of the knuckle of a coupler as it is uncoupled from a mating coupler. Thus, upon separation'of the couplers, the knuckle of each coupler. will be disposed in open position, and therefore each coupler will be, ready for coupling with another coupler without further preparation of the coupler;

, 7 SUMMARY OF TI-IEINV'ENTION.

-' The main object of the inventionis to provide a knuckletype car coupler that is always ready is disposed in open position.

Another object "is to provide a knuckle coupler whose knuckle will automatically open during an uncoupling operation'as the knuckle of a mating coupler swings to open position. A further object is to provide a knuckle coupler in which, in addition to the usual means for manual unlocking of the knuckle, there is means for automatically unlocking and opening the knuckle as a mating coupler is being uncoupled from the coupler. s

A still further object isto provide a knuckle'coupler having knuckle unlocking and opening means which is inactive when to couple, i.e., its knuckle the coupler is coupled to a matingcoupler but which automatically unlocks and' opens the knuckle as a mating coupler is uncoupled from the coupler. 1

Another object is to provide a knuckle coupler having a rotor lever which in addition'to being manually actuatable by an uncoupling rod is also actuatable by automatic means to effect unlocking of the knuckle and movement thereof to open position during anuncouplingoperation with a mating coupler whose knuckle had been unlocked prior to the operation.

A further object'is to provide an A.A.R. Standard coupler having means which automatically unlocks and opens the knuckle when the coupler is uncoupled from a mating coupler which had been placed in unlockedor lock-set condition prior to the uncoupling operation.

A still further object is to provide pler in which the rotor lever thereof is automatically actuated I to unlock the knuckle after a predetermined amount of Iongitudinal separation of two couplersfoccurs during an uncoupling operation. i v

The invention comprises novel spring-actuated means within the head of a knuckle-type railway car coupler adapted to actuate the usual rotor lever of the 'car coupler to unlock the knuckle and effect opening thereof. The means comprises a lever and plunger arrangement mounted in the coupler head independently of the existing coupler internal operating parts. The lever is movable by an associated spring into engagement an A.-A.R. Standard couwith the rotor lever to actuate'thesame to unlock the knuckle to permit opening thereof. When the coupler is in coupled relationship with a mating coupler, the plunger isengaged by the opposing couplerto immobilize the lever against the force of the spring. In this coupled condition of the coupler, the lever is out of contact with the rotor lever. During an uncoupling operation in which the knuckle of themating coupler had been previously unlocked, a predetermined amount of longitudinal separation of the couplers'allows the plunger and lever to move under the action of the spring in such a manner that the lever engages the rotor lever and actuates the same to unlock the knuckle. After the knuckle is unlocked, another spring associated with the knuckle rotates the knuckle to open position.

The foregoing and other objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the, accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view ofa car coupler embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2120f FIG. 1 and showing the coupler coupled to an opposing, mating coupler. The couplers are shown in buff.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the coupler shown in FIG. 1. I 1

FIG. 4 is, a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the couplers with knuckles that are extremelyworn, the couplers being shown underapulling load. i

. .FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the mating coupler separated from the coupler a predetermined amount as during an uncoupling operation.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. I

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the coupler after the mating coupler has been completely uncoupled and separated from the coupler.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional viewtaken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

I FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 2, showing the lock in unlocking or lock-set position, the knuckle being shown inclosed position.

FIG. 11.is a fragmentary bottom view of the coupler showing the knuckle and the adjacent portion of the coupler head. FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view through a coupler showing a-modification of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG.- 12 showing the position of the parts after a predetermined amount of actuation thereof.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the coupler shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 shows top and side view details of the plunger forming part of the invention. I

FIG. 16 shows front and side view details of the lever.

FIG. 17 shows front and side view details of the rotor lever.

FIG. 18 is a detail of the pivot pin for connecting the lever to the coupler head.

FIG. 19 shows details of the spring for actuating the lever.

FIG. 20 shows details of the spring for opening the knuckle.

FIG. 21 shows front and side view details of a modified rotor lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, there is shown an Association of American Railroads (A.A.R.) Standard E coupler to which the invention has been applied. The coupler has a head 10 and a knuckle l1 pivoted to the head about a vertical pin 12. The knuckle is swingable from its closed position shown in FIG. 2 to the fully open position shown in FIG. 7. The knuckle is locked in closed position by a knuckle tail l4 and the vertical wall in the head. The lock is movable upwardly into chamber 16 (FIG. 10) to a position in which it is in unlocking relationship with the knuckle. This is also called the lock-set position of the lock. The lock has a depending leg 17 which is operatively connected to a lock lifter link 18. The upper end of link 18 has a trunnion 19 received in slot 20 in the lock leg. The lower end of link 18 is pivotally connected to the forward element 22a of the articulated rotor lever 22' as at 23. The rotor lever is pivoted to the coupler head by element 22b having its hook-shaped portion mounted on trunnion 25 on the head. Elements 22a and 22b of the rotor lever are pivotally joined together by a pin or rivet 27 and rotate as a unit about trunnion 25 upon engagement of lug 24 with the opposing hook element 22b during actuation of the lever by uncoupling rod 28. With the coupler knuckle closed and the lock in its locking position, rotor lever 22 and lock lifter link 18 assume the reposed position shown in FIG. 1.

Upon rotation of the rotor lever in a clockwise direction, as by means of uncoupling rod 28 connected to element 22a, the trunnion 19 of link 18 is caused to move to the upper end of slot 20 in the lock leg. This movement brings abutment surface 18a on the link out from under anticreep shoulder 26 in the coupler head to permit the lock to be raised to the lock-set position shown in FIG. 10, wherein the lock is out of locking relation with the knuckle. Reference is made to W. .I. Metzger US. Pat. No. 2,866,560 for a detailed description of the release of the lock anticreep to effect intentional unlocking of the coupler. In its lock-set position the lock is supported on the usual knuckle thrower 30 by means of a shoulder or ledge 31 on the lock leg. When it is desired to uncouple two coupled couplers, a trainman will first place the lock of one coupler in lock-set position by manual actuation of the usual uncoupling rod 28 as aforementioned. With the lock of one of the couplers in lock-set position, the knuckle will be free to pivot to open position to permit the couplers to separate. It will be understood that the knuckle of the coupler whose lock was not placed in lock-set position will remain closed and locked upon completion of the uncoupling operation, assuming the coupler does not embody the present invention. Thus, during uncoupling, the locked knuckle will pull open the knuckle of the coupler whose lock had been previously placed in lock-set position.

The coupler head 10 is modified to accommodate the mechanism for automatic unlocking of the knuckle by the provision of a chamber on its guard arm side defined by inner and outer sidewalls 15 and 41, respectively. This mechanism comprises a lever 42 mounted within chamber 40 for reciprocating pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot pin 43 extending between walls 15 and 41 and secured by means of a cotter key 44. Lever 42 has an upper arm 42a and a lower ann 42b. Arm 42a is operatively connected to a plunger member 45 adapted for horizontal reciprocating movement within chamber 40. Plunger 45 has a vertically extending slot 46 at its rearward end for slidably receiving a laterally extend- 1 ing horizontal trunnion 47 on the end of arm 42a. Slot 46 and trunnion 47 are so arranged that the plunger moves forwardly and rearwardly in response to pivotal to and fro movement of lever 42. Plunger 45 is guided and supported by top and bottom walls 50 and 51, respectively. Rotor lever element 22a is provided with an integral upwardly extending arm having an abutment 55b at its upper end adapted for engagement by position within the coupler head. Also, this position of the plunger corresponds to that to which it is moved when the coupler is coupled with a mating coupler, as seen in FIG. 2. In

this coupled condition, the front face 11 of the knuckle of the mating coupler M is in contact with the forward face 45b of lateral extension 45a on the plunger. Lever 42 is spring loaded by a torsion spring so as to exert a counterclockwise rotative force against the lever as viewed in FIG. I. The coiled portion of spring 60 is received on a boss 61 on wall 15 of the coupler head. Spring 60 is anchored to the coupler head by the spring leg 60a which is in engagement with an abutment 63 in the head. The force-transmitting spring leg 60b bears against lever arm 42b through lug 42c to urge the latter rearwardly of the coupler. Spring 60 is of such capacity as to urge lever arm 42b into engagement with abutment 55b on arm 55 to actuate rotor lever 22 and raise the lock to the lock-set position shown in FIG. 10, as aforementioned.

It will be observed that when the coupler is free, i.e., not coupled to a mating coupler, the spring 60 will have pivoted lever 42 to the position shownin FIGS. 7 and 8. In these views plunger 45 is in its forwardmost position while arm 42b is in its rearwardmost position. It will be noted that the plunger projects a substantial amount forwardly beyond the buffing face 64 of the coupler head, its forward movement being limited by the engagement of lever upper arm 420 with shoulder 62, as shown in FIG. 9. The rearward side of plunger extension 45a is beveled as at 45c to provide clearance between the opposing locking face 14a of the knuckle when the latter is in fully opened position, as in FIGS. 7 and 8.

To illustrate the operation of the invention the coupler will first be assumed to be in free condition with its knuckle fully opened,as in FIGS. 7 and 8. It is now ready to be coupled with a mating coupler whose knuckle may be in open or closed position. As the couplers come together for coupling, the knuckle of the mating coupler will engage forward face 45b of the plunger and cause it to move rearwardly into its coupler against the resistance of spring 60. When the couplers are fully coupled, locked, and in buffed relationship, the buffing face 11' of the mating knuckle will have moved the plunger to the position shown in FIG. 2 with the front face 45b of the plunger in line with the buffing face 64 of the coupler head. In this position of the plunger, lever arm 42b is in its forwardmost position, as clearly seen in FIG. 1.

The functioning of the invention during an uncoupling operation will next be described. It will be assumed that the coupler is in coupled relationship with a mating knuckle coupler that does not embody the present invention. The knuckle of the mating coupler will first be unlocked by placing the lock in lock-set position as shown in FIG. 10. Lock-setting a coupler is the usual procedure followed by a trainman prior to an uncoupling operation and is accomplished by actuation of uncoupling rod 28. At the start of the uncoupling operation the two couplers will be in the position shown in FIG. 2, with the mating coupler M at the left. As the couplers start to move apart the knuckle noses will move into contact to take. up the contour clearance 66, and simultaneously plunger 45 will be moved forwardly of the coupler a corresponding amount by lever 42 under the action of spring 60. Thereafter, upon further separation of the couplers the knuckle of the mating coupler will be pulled toward open position by knuckle 11 which is still closed and locked. As. opening of the mating knuckle proceeds, plunger 45 moves forwardly in response to the separation of the couplers. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the relative position of the couplers at an intermediate stage in the uncoupling operation wherein the plunger has moved forwardly an amount such that lever arm 42b has moved into engagement with extension 55b on arm 55 of the rotor lever. In this position knuckle 11 is still held in closed position by lock 13. Moreover, the lock anticreep provided by surface 18a on link 18 and shoulder 26 is still effective to preclude upward movement of the lock. Upon further separation of the couplers, the mating knuckle continues to be pulled toward open position by knuckle 11 and plunger 45 moves further outwardly of the coupler. As plunger 45 moves outwardly, arm 42b correspondingly actuates the rotor lever until the lock has been raised to the unlocking or lock-set position shown in FIG. 10.

' When the mating knuckle has been fully opened and is out of contact with plunger 45, the latter is in its forwardmost position. As this occurs, the knuckle opening spring 70 swings knuckle 11 to open position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the uncoupling operation is complete. 7

Spring 70 is of atorsion type mounted on the underside of the couplenwith its coiled portion-receiving the'lower end of pivot pin 12. Spring 70 is formed with a leg 70a abutting a shoulder 72 on the couplerhe ad anda leg 70b anchored by lug 74 on the knuckleflhe spring force exerted by leg 70b against the knuckle is such as to swing the after it has been unlocked. V

It will be apparent that upon. completion of the above described uncoupling operation, the knuckle of each coupler will be disposed in fully opened position and each coupler will be ready for coupling with another coupler without further preparation prior to coupling. Ife'ach of two coupled couplers is provided with the invention, the uncoupling procedure will be the same as aforedescrib'ed. One of the couplers will first be placed in lock-set position by actuation of the uncoupling rod in the usual manner. Thereafter, the uncoupling operation will proceed the same as before; and at the conclusion thereof, the

knuckle of each couplerwill be in open position.

An important feature of the inventionresides in the safety factor afforded against undesired ,.opening of the knuckle while it is in coupled relationship with a-mating coupler. It will be observed from FIG. 1 that 'when'the knuckle is closed and the knuckle tail. It will be understood that plunger 45 normally maintains armf-42bout of engagement with abutment 55b and-arm 421: must move forwardly a'substantial amount before clearance "'x" is taken up. FIGS. 5 and6 show plunger 45 disposed forwardly a substantial-amount, its front face 45b being considerably forward of buffing face 64 of the coupler head. In this position of the parts, the-knuckle is still locked and the anticreep for the lock remains effective. Thus, before the plunger can move to its FIG. 5-position while two couplers are in coupled relationship, considerable wear and distortion of the knuckles of the couplers would-have to occur. In fact, knuckles which would be in such worn and distorted-condition as to'allow the plunger to move outwardly of its coupler the amount shown in FIG. '5 would .have been condemned for further usage by the railroads; Such a condition is shown in FIG. 4 wherein the coupled couplers are so worn that plunger 45 is in approximately the same position as in FIGS. Sand 6,

but'the knuckle remains locked.-'Accordingly, it;will be seen that the invention provides an adequate factor of safety against undesired unlocking of the coupler'while it is in coupled relation with a mating coupler. V

It will be noted that plunger 45 is located on the coupler center line, as viewed in FIG. 1. This assures that under coupled conditions, even though the couplers may be at substantially different levels, the plungerwillbe engaged and held in its rearward position by the opposing knuckle of the mating coupler so that'bothcouplers will remain locked and coupled.

kn'uckle to open position ans A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the autoa matic knuckle unlocking and opening means in nowis'e interferes with manual operation of the coupler by means of the usual uncoupling mechanism tolock-set the coupler. Asaforementioned; couplers embodying the invention are uncoupled by first placing one coupler in' lock-set condition and then effecting uncoupling. I

Referring to FIGS. 12, 13, I4 and 21 there is shown a rotor lever 22' which is similar to rotorlever 22 but which has a bearing flange 80 adjacent arm 55', adapted to engage a trunnion 81 on the coupler head. Trunnion- 81is on the same axis as trunnion 25 onwhich lever element 22b is mounted. When 80 engages trunnion 81 as in FIG. 13. Thereafter as lcverarm 42b urges arm 55' rearwardly, the rotor lever rotates. about both trunnion 25 and trunnion 81. As the point of engagement between arm 42b and extension 55b is about in line with flange 80, improved rotation of the rotor lever is obtained and tipping of the rotor lever is avoided. In all other respects, the rotor lever operates in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. a It will be apparent that the invention provides a coupler whose knuckle will automatically open upon completion of an uncoupling operation involving a mating coupler whose knuckle had been unlocked prior to the uncoupling operation. While two couplers are in coupled conditiomthe automatic knuckle unlocking and opening means isfinactiveand the couplers remain safely coupled. However, when it is desired to uncouple the couplers, the knuckle unlocking and opening means of one coupler is automatically activated to effect unlocking and opening of its knuckle asthe mating coupler is uncoupled therefrom. While the invention has been shown applied to an A.A.R. Standard E coupler, it isto be understood that-the invention is applicable to other types. of A.A.R. Standard knuckle couplers as well as to nonstandard knuckle couplers, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Although a separate spring 70 is utilized to open the knuckle once the latter is in unlocked condition, as in FIG. 10, it will be understood that, if desired, ,a single spring for energizing lever 42 may be employed to effect unlocking as well as opening of the knuckle. In such case, with. spring 70 eliminated, spring 60 will be of a higher capacity so as to exert a 'rotative force against lever 42 sufficient to cause the latter to actuate rotor lever 22 to the position in which the knuckle thrower 30 has fully opened the knuckle, as when a trainman actuates the rotor lever to open a knuckle by lifting the handle of the conventional uncoupling rod.

. Iclaim: I

1. In a car coupler having a head,:a knuckle pivoted to said head, a lock movable from locking position to unlocking position relative to the knuckle, said lockhaving a depending leg, a lock lifter link operatively connected tosaid leg, and a rotor lever pivoted to the underside of said head and being operatively connected to said link, said look upon actuation of said rotor lever being adapted to movefrom said locking to unlocking position, the improvement comprising energized means in said head for actuating saidrotor lever, said means comprising a lever element pivoted to said head and being urged into engagement with said rotor lever to actuate the same, and other means within said head associated with said energized means adapted to be engaged by a mating coupler to swing said lever element to a position in which said lever element is out of engagement with said rotor lever when the coupler is in coupled relation with a mating coupler.

2. A coupler according to claim I in which said energized means comprises a spring urging said lever element into said engagement with said rotor lever.

3. A coupler according to claim 2 in which said other means comprises a plunger member'operatively connected to said lever element.

4. A coupler according to claim 3 in which said plunger has a pin and slot connection with said lever element.

5. A coupler according to claim 1 in which said rotor lever is I provided with an upstandingintegral' arm adapted to be enposition upon actuation of said lever, the improvement comthe coupler is in locked condition, flange v is out of contact with trunnion 8l.-I Iowever, during anuncoupIing operation when plunger 45 moves forwardly to'allow lever ann 42b to prising means for automatically actuating said rotor lever, said means comprising a member pivoted to said head and having an arm adapted to engage said rotor lever to actuate the-same,

spring means urging said arm into said lever actuating relaand adapted to move the latter out of said lever actuating relationship against the force of said spring, said last-named means being actuated by an opposing coupler when an opposing coupler is coupled to said coupler.

7-. A coupler according to claim 6 in which one end of said means projects forwardly of the buffing face of the coupler head when the coupler is free, said end of the means being engageable by the knuckle of an opposing mating coupler during coupling operations.

8 A coupler according to claim 6 in which spring means is provided for opening the knuckle.

9. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle pivoted to said head, a lock for said knuckle movable from locking to unlocking position, a rotorlever rotatably connected to said head and operatively connected to said lock, said rotor lever upon actuation thereof being adapted to effect movement of said lock to unlocking position, and means for automatically actuating said rotor lever, said means comprising a lever element pivoted to said head and movabie into engagement with said rotor lever to actuate the same, spring means urging said element into said engagement with said rotor lever, and a plunger member operatively connected to said element and engageable by an opposing coupler during coupling operatidns to move said member to a position in which the element is out of rotor lever actuating position.

10. A coupler according to claim 9 in which said element has an upper arm operatively connected to said member and a lower arm for engaging the rotor lever, said lower am being spaced a predetermined amount from said rotor lever when the coupler is coupled with a mating coupler.

11. A coupler according to claim 10 in which said rotor lever has an upwardly extending integral arm, the upper end of which is engageable by said lower arm.

12. A coupler according to claim 11 in said rotor lever has a bearing flange adjacent said integral arm.

13. A rotor lever for effecting unlocking of a knuckle-type car coupler, said lever comprising a hook-shaped element for pivotal mounting of the lever on an associated trunnion of the coupler, and another element pivoted to said hook-shaped element and adapted for pivotal connection to an associated lock lifter link, said other element having an upwardly extending integral arm having abutment means adapted for engagement by associated lever means of the coupler for actuation of the rotor lever.

14. A rotor lever according to claim 13 in which a bearing flange is provided adjacent said am for engaging an associated trunnion on the coupler during actuation of the rotor lever. 

